Publishers Clearing House

geoÂ®ge · #1 06-21-2004, 12:48 PM

On June 26, 2001, twenty-six states reached a $34 million settlement with Publishers Clearing House over allegations that the company used deceptive mailing practices in its sweepstakes mailings. Under the agreement, Publishers Clearing House will be required to stop false and deceptive practices in the states involved in the settlement. For example, the company will no longer be allowed to write "You are a winner!" on mailings or on the Internet, and it will be banned from using simulated checks or writing that the "Prize Patrol" is coming to the recipient's house. Publishers Clearing House also has agreed to stop sending its entry forms on official-looking stationary bearing phony stamps and seals with phrases like "prize affidavit" or "official document" because such devices lead consumers to believe that they already have won a prize.

Publishers Clearing House came under attack when consumers complained that the appearance and tone of the sweepstakes mailings led them to believe that they would have an increased chance of winning if they ordered a product from the company. Under the settlement agreement, Publishers Clearing House sweepstakes mailings are now required to provide notices regarding a person's chance of winning.

The twenty six states involved in the settlement were: Arizona, Arkansas, Colorado, Connecticut, Delaware, Florida, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Kentucky, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, New Jersey, North Carolina, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Tennessee, Texas, Vermont, West Virginia and Wisconsin. Settlement money will be allocated among the states and used to provide customer refunds, and to defray the legal expenses and administrative costs related to the investigation. Wisconsin, the only state to take the case to trial, will receive the largest chunk of settlement money, at approximately $2 million. Wisconsin already has identified 1,400 consumers eligible for refunds, and will receive $750,000 in compensation for victims who have not yet come forward

Publishers Clearing House has now settled investigations with every state in the United States. Last August, Publishers Clearing House reached an $18 million settlement with the District of Columbia and the twenty-four states not a party to the June 2001 settlement. Following the June 2001 settlement announcement, Connecticut Attorney General Richard Blumenthal, one of the states' lead negotiators, said that the recent settlement provides more money and "tougher reforms" than the August 2000 settlement. Publishers Clearing House has stated that it "acknowledges that its mailings were confusing to some consumers in the past" and it "regrets and apologizes" for any injury it caused, and that it will continue to give out awards, including a $1 million prize in August 2001.

Pete · #2 06-24-2004, 11:41 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by geo®ge

On June 26, 2001, twenty-six states reached a $34 million settlement with Publishers Clearing House over allegations that the company used deceptive mailing practices in its sweepstakes mailings. Under the agreement, Publishers Clearing House will be required to stop false and deceptive practices in the states involved in the settlement. For example, the company will no longer be allowed to write "You are a winner!" on mailings or on the Internet, and it will be banned from using simulated checks or writing that the "Prize Patrol" is coming to the recipient's house. Publishers Clearing House also has agreed to stop sending its entry forms on official-looking stationary bearing phony stamps and seals with phrases like "prize affidavit" or "official document" because such devices lead consumers to believe that they already have won a prize.

Publishers Clearing House came under attack when consumers complained that the appearance and tone of the sweepstakes mailings led them to believe that they would have an increased chance of winning if they ordered a product from the company. Under the settlement agreement, Publishers Clearing House sweepstakes mailings are now required to provide notices regarding a person's chance of winning.

The twenty six states involved in the settlement were: Arizona, Arkansas, Colorado, Connecticut, Delaware, Florida, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Kentucky, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, New Jersey, North Carolina, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Tennessee, Texas, Vermont, West Virginia and Wisconsin. Settlement money will be allocated among the states and used to provide customer refunds, and to defray the legal expenses and administrative costs related to the investigation. Wisconsin, the only state to take the case to trial, will receive the largest chunk of settlement money, at approximately $2 million. Wisconsin already has identified 1,400 consumers eligible for refunds, and will receive $750,000 in compensation for victims who have not yet come forward

Publishers Clearing House has now settled investigations with every state in the United States. Last August, Publishers Clearing House reached an $18 million settlement with the District of Columbia and the twenty-four states not a party to the June 2001 settlement. Following the June 2001 settlement announcement, Connecticut Attorney General Richard Blumenthal, one of the states' lead negotiators, said that the recent settlement provides more money and "tougher reforms" than the August 2000 settlement. Publishers Clearing House has stated that it "acknowledges that its mailings were confusing to some consumers in the past" and it "regrets and apologizes" for any injury it caused, and that it will continue to give out awards, including a $1 million prize in August 2001.

wow about time.

DiscoStu · #3 09-01-2004, 09:18 AM

Yes, most definately. I remember even growing up, my parents would always get these official-looking notices from Publishers Clearing House. I was always so excited when they came. I must say that this has been a long time coming. The moral ramifications are more than enough for them to stop this nonsense.

Anara · #4 03-18-2005, 08:29 PM

Does anyone know anybody who ever won anything from PCH??? I have entered the contest because I figured noone ever wastes time with them anymore so if they are really giving away money I have a better chance of winning. Or are they just a big scam?

scambuster · #5 03-25-2005, 09:53 AM

They are not a scam but you won't win the money.

The sweepstakes is just a gimmick to sell more magazines.

...And it works.

Silverqn · #6 03-28-2005, 05:18 PM

I've been sending mine away for about 20 years
never won squat
never knew anyone who ever won squat
:o(

Courtesy · #7 03-30-2005, 11:18 AM

It is not fraud, but a ruse, a ploy, a way to cajole you to buy magazines.

Anara · #8 03-30-2005, 07:13 PM

that sucks I guess..i have no plans too order buckus from them..though the magazines prices there are cheap. well maybe i may win anyway..LOL You never know right?

#9 04-06-2005, 10:02 PM

Hi EVERYONE

PUBLISHING CLEARING HOUSE IS NOT A SCAM AND YOU DON'T HAVE TO PLACE MAG TO WIN . I DON'T EVEN PLACE MAG I JUST FILL OUT THE FORM AND PUSH SUBIT NOW .

AND I BEEN GET SOME GOOD DEAL FROM THEM LATER

PLS E-MAIL ME IF YOU HAVE ANY QUESTION ON THIS ONE AT
Puananikeki20@yahoo.com

brandoni68 · #10 04-25-2005, 11:31 PM

After over 15 years of faithfully mailing in entries, on Feburary 28th Sam Pohrman - My Cousins Father in-law - Finally won. He is now 1,000,000.00 richer. I used to think it was a scam, and have been faithfully throwing the entrys away for over 15 years. The only thing that sucks about this is that now the odds that I will ever know anyone else who won(inluding myself) are now much slimmer. Sam is featured on pch's website currently. Good luck to you all. By the way, I don't know if Sam ever bought any of the magazines, but I do know that there are laws that prohibit them from giving preference to an entry with an order for merchandise, and that all winners must be chosen at random by a third party.

P.S. They have been known to use deceptive practices to entice people to buy as stated here:

http://www.scam.com/showthread.php?t=213

yjkaries · #11 06-23-2005, 08:40 AM

I don't believe that if you don't win its necessarily a scam. Think about it... millions of people enter these contests that have very few prizes...so the odds are against you from the start. Its just like the lottery...finally after 42 yrs being on this earth I finally knew someone that won a "big one"....and the lottery is not a scam...just 1 in 11,538,323 that you hit it :)

zirchowvii · #12 06-23-2005, 10:20 AM

The latest flier PCH sent my mom said: "Mrs. X., You've been a valuable customer since 1968!" She was astonished that it had been that long. She's never won anything from them, though.

I've never known anyone who has won. I think it could happen, though.

Congrats to Mr. Pohrman! That's kind of an ironic name for someone who won, though.

batgirl2good · #13 06-24-2005, 10:19 AM

I get these letters saying that "someone with the initials BT WILL win $1 million!"
it also says the name of my town. DO you get those?
A friend got FURIOUS with me for telling her this. She's convinced that she will be the next big winner because she got such a letter telling her that someone with her initials who lives in her town will win the big $$$$$.
:( Now she does not want to talk to me anymore at all. :( :(

batgirl2good · #14 06-30-2005, 05:25 PM

I meant to say COULD win.

Quote:

Originally Posted by batgirl2good

I get these letters saying that "someone with the initials BT WILL win $1 million!"
it also says the name of my town. DO you get those?
A friend got FURIOUS with me for telling her this. She's convinced that she will be the next big winner because she got such a letter telling her that someone with her initials who lives in her town will win the big $$$$$.
:( Now she does not want to talk to me anymore at all. :( :(

yeah right · #15 09-16-2005, 06:46 PM

What about if you do not order your entry goes to a different address, but you still have the same chance of winning?

PaulM · #16 09-17-2005, 01:33 AM

legally... someone who does not make a purchase has to have the same chances of winning as someone who does make a purchase. The different addresses are simply for order processing purposes.

batgirl2good:
I'm sorry your friend feels that way... give her a little time... hopefully she'll realize it's simply a marketing ploy. My aunt used to get those entry letters and would tell us she received a letter from Ed McMahon... but she lived in her own little world.

cheers,
Paul

#17 09-17-2005, 10:19 PM

PCH? aaaarrrrgggghhhh!

When their crap arrived in the snail mail, it was no big deal just to drop it in the garbage and forget about it.

When E-mail solicitations started to show up in my Free Yahoo! go ahead and spam me client account every few days, I complained by phone to their headquarters and they assured me they would remove me from their bulk mailing lists. Didn't happen.
Complain to SBC and Yahoo! Still getting 3-5/week.

EderLore · #18 09-19-2005, 10:33 AM

Maybe a spam blocker program might help. You can have the program set up to block their email. If SBC and Yahoo won't do it then I'd be willing to expend the money to purchase a blocking program. Also get Ad-Aware. It's free and it will remove any unwanted cookies from your computer. Don't know if it would completely solve the problems but give it a shot.

megaflex · #19 09-22-2005, 03:50 AM

Why is it that the last few winners were old people that look like they were going to die any minute now?

#20 09-23-2005, 09:40 PM

- A group of citizens fed up with PCH needs to get together and hammer them with lawsuits under the CAN-SPAM Act and complaints of UBE/UCE/SPAM to www.ftc.gov

- I figured out a way to block the PCH mailings. When they show up in the Bulk folder of the Yahoo! E-mail client, I move them to the Inbox folder and hit the Spam button that for some reason they don't include in the Bulk folder. That little applet deletes the message and adds the sender to the Blocked Sender list.

PaulM · #21 09-24-2005, 02:27 PM

Another anti-spam tool, that I use, is 'Mail-Washer'. It allows you to see what mail you have sitting on your server. All you do is mark your "un-wanted" e-mail as 'Bounce' and it returns it to the sender as 'undeliverable' and then deletes it... getting you removed from their lists. It takes a little while for you to actually see the results in your in-box, but it is worth the effort... it will reduce the amount of spam-mail received dramatically.

cheers,
Paul

UPHudson · #22 09-24-2005, 11:13 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by megaflex

Why is it that the last few winners were old people that look like they were going to die any minute now?

"Have you ever read their rules? I did and was surprised. Since I don't remember the specifics, I'll give you an example. Remember this is just an example, check it out for yourself. Let's say you win $1,000,000.00 - they send you $30,000 per year for the next 20 years, at the end of the 20 years, they send you the rest of the jackpot, which is huge. What happens to the rest of the jackpot if you die? Do they get to keep it or does it go to your heirs?"

megaflex · #23 09-29-2005, 08:17 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by UPHudson

"Have you ever read their rules? I did and was surprised. Since I don't remember the specifics, I'll give you an example. Remember this is just an example, check it out for yourself. Let's say you win $1,000,000.00 - they send you $30,000 per year for the next 20 years, at the end of the 20 years, they send you the rest of the jackpot, which is huge. What happens to the rest of the jackpot if you die? Do they get to keep it or does it go to your heirs?"

You know, I did think about that. I have wondered about that. Something tells me that once you are no longer alive, they stop sending money. Maybe that's why I only see elderly people winning. I remember some years ago, I really got caught up in that. I entered an entry every day for about 3 months. All the way up to the Jackpot day. But I do remember the week before the drawing, they sent me a form via email stating that I and another person in the same state were tied in winning the jackpot and whom ever submitted their form first would be declared the winner. The form ask me of course my name and address. But this time it wanted to know my birthdate and that I had to show a vaild ID proving that all the information that I entered was correct when they came knocking on my door. Well, I did. So on that wonderful day, I took the day off from work and waited until the Nightly News went off. Some old biddy in Virginia won and I do not live in Virginia but in the Midwest. My mouth dropped and I HATED PCH from that day forward. I felt so foolish and betrayed, I went to my local bar and pounded a few knowing that I had to go to work the next day. I never did that before and never again. PCH is all about magazine subscriptions and nothing else. They should be sued like the guys that own the X10 cameras pop-ups ads. For spreading there unwanted ads via email and pop-up ads. DOWN WITH PCH!!!

megaflex · #24 09-29-2005, 08:24 AM

I think that I am one of those people that did not come forward yet. How do I go about collecting on the settlement?

cyw1966usa · #25 09-29-2005, 10:28 AM

I'm with megaflex! What do we do?

#26 10-17-2005, 12:59 PM

why wouldnt u just play eth lottery---*****ball, megamillions, or watever is in ur area-----same chances, bigger payout

madmamma · #27 10-25-2005, 06:11 AM

Someone in my town just won a couple of months ago. It is real. :)

melville · #28 11-20-2005, 06:51 AM

i was entered in this about a year and they stated i won and they would be coming to my door and i never heard nothing from them i live in ind so how do i file a complaint?

Rusted · #29 11-20-2005, 05:32 PM

Ed McMahon has promised so much money to so many people that I consider him right up there with any established career politician, be they Democrat or Republican.

Ed McMahon for President! :D

Tomos · #30 11-20-2005, 11:40 PM

I wonder if even one of the individuals scammed got a dime from this "settlement". I'd seen all these things for decades, not only with Publishers Clearing House, but other firms as well. I never believed a one of them.

The "settlement" seems like the tobacco settlements with several states: all the money went into the states' coffers and, as far as I know, not one of the the poor coughing addicted smokers saw one thin dime.

The lawyers probably made all the real money.

war_man · #31 12-09-2005, 11:28 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by scambuster

They are not a scam but you won't win the money.

The sweepstakes is just a gimmick to sell more magazines.

...And it works.

Its as scambuster says a rip-off to sell more of their magazines,, Someone wins yea, But its not gonna be you are me im afraid..

TIFFANIE · #32 12-19-2005, 12:27 AM

I've Entered Every Contest Of Publishers Clearing House And They Get My Hopes Up Sending Me Emails Telling Me They Are Coming To My City And My Door And Still Haven't Yet. I Knew Something Was'nt Right When On Thanksgiving Day 2005 I Was Watching To See The Winner Annouce And I Never Saw It. So I Email Pch Customer Service And They Told Me Who Won. And Then I Email There Info Center And They Told Me A Different Name So Whats Up With That?

evilslim · #33 01-07-2006, 01:19 AM

my stepmother fell for that abotu 10 years ago. A few weeks before the "winner" was announced she got an "official notice" of the 3 remaining people for the prize. her and 2 other names...its funny how none of those names on the list won the money

simonsays · #34 01-07-2006, 03:16 AM

Ed talk to me man!! I got to cash your check Where's Johnny can he cash it?Ed did you
start all this internet fraud? Help me man. simonsays he ain't got nothing to say.
Ed Ed Ed help!!!!

AmcJavelin · #35 01-07-2006, 04:22 AM

Sorry Simon, I kinda robbed the truck with your prize money in it.I had a party & fixed up my Pacer cause the gas tank fell out. I then blew the rest on prostitutes,marijuana, & fireworks. Now I have to go on Muary & tell my story about how the prostitutes kids ain't mine. But I had a wonderful time bro wish you were there!!!

death2scammers · #36 01-07-2006, 06:12 PM

Glad to hear those bastards at Publishers Clearing House got slammed hard by the feds for deception. I recall here in Florida a few years ago, this poor guy and his family were so convinced they had won the grand prize that they actually drove from Georgia to the co's Tampa office in florida to collect their money only to be turned away and told.....sorry suckers!

And I've always suspected nobody really wins the huge prizes they boast. My guess is they make it all up and set up employees or family members of the company's owners to act like they're the winners. Then Ed McMahon gets another fat payout for promoting the scam over and over again.

Think about it.....most people, probably 98%, don't buy their mag subscriptions and just enter the sweepstakes. So how are they going to keep coming up with those multi million dollar payouts? Fat chance.

death2scammers · #37 01-07-2006, 06:19 PM

Oh and I forgot about the time, about 10 or 12 ago, I read in the newspaper that the company got caught throwing out huge bags of NO replies....the people who enter the contest but don't pay to subscribe. Some guy found out by going through their garbage bins and reporting it to the govt.

Some people also sued them for that fiasco but don't remember what ever came of it.

NLW · #38 01-07-2006, 09:31 PM

Around 1992, I lived in Denton, TX. The mayor at the time had won the sweepstakes, he was elected after he had won. He was featured on Oprah once which he stated that he had ordered magazines.

simonsays · #39 01-07-2006, 10:44 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by AmcJavelin

Sorry Simon, I kinda robbed the truck with your prize money in it.I had a party & fixed up my Pacer cause the gas tank fell out. I then blew the rest on prostitutes,marijuana, & fireworks. Now I have to go on Muary & tell my story about how the prostitutes kids ain't mine. But I had a wonderful time bro wish you were there!!!

Hey wish I was their 2 Had a 69 javlin for about 2 weeks but needed to win
PCH to keep it running.Watch those fireworks they say you can lose a finger
or 2.Let me know when the next truck is due.Good Luck 888888

simonsays · #40 01-07-2006, 11:52 PM

I almost forgot this story in my life but my mother who is now 75 years young
bless her heart for she is truly the love of my life.Around 1968 thru 1972 I
cannot remember the exact date but she did recieve a check from PCH for
$25.00 as a prize winner.She did how ever spent $100.00 plus on mags for us
each year as she wanted us to well informed children (5 of us).simonsays those days are gone. You have a better chance of hitting your state lottery
than getting a .25 cent check from PCH.

Passntru · #41 02-18-2006, 11:11 PM

The current state of Affairs,,,,,
Anyone think this should be sent to the State's Attourney General's Office? :confused: :( :rolleyes: :mad:

All entries received by 11:59 AM, ET, 3/23/06 will be eligible for our $10 Million SuperPrize® (Giveaway No. 1025), our Lincoln LS V8 Bonus Giveaway (No. 1024), $100,000.00 Cash (Giveaway No. 1066), $2,000.00 cash (Giveaway No. 1075), an iPod® nano (Giveaway No. 1074) and our Initials Contest (Giveaway No.1048).You will automatically be entered into these sweepstakes by completing and submitting the sweepstakes entry form. Upon receipt of your timely entry, a SuperPrize number will be assigned to you at Publishers Clearing House headquarters.

On the one hand we have bulletins going out to millions of recepients stating:
on February 28th, we're definitely going to announce our Giveaway No. 1O25 SuperPrize winner during NBC Nightly News with

So obviously both cannot be true. A contest awarding a prize on the 28th of Febuary,
would not be accepting entries until the 23rd of March in said same contest, Givaway Number 1025

The-Wraith64 · #42 02-20-2006, 01:14 PM

I have been getting the Publishers Clearinghouse Sweepstakes for 23 years now, (ever since I turned 18, now 41) and have never won anything, I even got as far as them having me send in a map of exactly where I live, but as you know I'm no more a winner as the next person, also has anyone noticed that it is the elderly that seems to win,or so they say. I too have purchased mags from them but it didn't get me any closer to the money.I no longer buy anything from them, as for the mags I would rather buy it from the super market and get the ones that I want, instead of getting monthly mags that I won't read anyway,but as you should know I still enter and see if I get to a certain age, being toothless and run down, maybe I will be on tv!! :D

buffy1941 · #43 02-20-2006, 06:50 PM

Plenty of time has past and the public should be entitled to an accounting of who received all these millions in fines etc. Who knows how to get this accounting? Please let the rest of us know...
Thanks,
buffy1941

dstickley · #44 02-28-2006, 03:53 PM

They are just a scam. The people who have won in the past are more than likely friends or relatives of the people who work at PCH. I have been entering this sweepstakes since 1968 and to date have won absolutely nothing and never will. So, in short, you would have a better chance getting hit by lightning than entering and winning the PCH Sweepstakes. No body in this Government will ever stop this because they are porbably getting rich off this. Just like President Bush and the high oil prices and the high prices at the gas pumps. We have alternative fuels in this country that will last forever and a far cheaper than oil, so why don't we use them? It's very simple. Everytime the fuel oil prices jump up Bush gets a fatter wallet and he knows that this is his last time in office, so he is going to get as much money as he can before he leaves office. The lottery and the PCH Sweepstakes are exactly the same. Someone else is getting rich off the money we send for books and any other crap that PCH sells. It shoulkd be illegal in this country, but when you have someone like Bush in the White House, you are already screwed.

itsascam · #45 03-01-2006, 01:37 AM

Of course its a scam. Do you really think they would give away millions of dollars? They are in business to make money, not give it away. Nobody ever wins.

itsascam · #46 03-01-2006, 02:20 AM

What they do is pay someone to play the "winner".

itsascam · #47 03-01-2006, 02:21 AM

Yeh sure. And what do you do at pch?

itsascam · #48 03-01-2006, 02:25 AM

The only winners on those law suits were the lawyers and the goverment. Thats what law suits like that are designed to do.

ladyharley1373 · #49 03-01-2006, 09:32 AM

I've been getting the exact same emails. I guess it's a good thing I kept the them all on file.

Re: The current state of Affairs,,,,,
Anyone think this should be sent to the State's Attourney General's Office?

All entries received by 11:59 AM, ET, 3/23/06 will be eligible for our $10 Million SuperPrize® (Giveaway No. 1025), our Lincoln LS V8 Bonus Giveaway (No. 1024), $100,000.00 Cash (Giveaway No. 1066), $2,000.00 cash (Giveaway No. 1075), an iPod® nano (Giveaway No. 1074) and our Initials Contest (Giveaway No.1048).You will automatically be entered into these sweepstakes by completing and submitting the sweepstakes entry form. Upon receipt of your timely entry, a SuperPrize number will be assigned to you at Publishers Clearing House headquarters.

On the one hand we have bulletins going out to millions of recepients stating:
on February 28th, we're definitely going to announce our Giveaway No. 1O25 SuperPrize winner during NBC Nightly News with

So obviously both cannot be true. A contest awarding a prize on the 28th of Febuary,
would not be accepting entries until the 23rd of March in said same contest, Givaway Number 1025

dstickley · #50 03-01-2006, 01:57 PM

They don't need to be sued. They need to be disposed of like the trash they are. I am sick of this bunch of idiots that try and make you believe that you have a chance of winning, when the winner has already been chosen months before the announcement. More that likely one of the relatives or friends. To date I am probably the only person in this country that has been playing this sweepstakes for 38 years without a miss and so far the only ones that win are their relatives and friends. This along with the state lotterys makes me sick. I personally think that the people in this country should make these people poor. All it would take is for everyone in this country to not play any lotterys for one month. These people need a wakeup call and so far they have been getting away with screwing over the American people. Now I think it's time we strike back and the best place to hit them is in their wallets.